What do you do if your game design clients or partners are in conflict and need resolution?

1 Assess Situation

Before diving into conflict resolution, take a step back to assess the situation thoroughly. Understand the root causes of the disagreement by listening to each party without bias. This involves not only hearing their words but also recognizing non-verbal cues and underlying concerns. It's essential to determine whether the conflict is based on personal differences, misaligned goals, or perhaps a lack of clarity in roles and responsibilities. A thorough assessment sets the stage for effective mediation and ensures that you address the real issues at hand.

2 Open Dialogue

Initiating an open dialogue is a critical step in resolving conflicts. Encourage each party to express their perspective in a controlled environment where everyone feels heard. As a game designer, you should facilitate this conversation by setting ground rules that promote respect and prevent the discussion from escalating into further disagreement. Use active listening techniques to ensure that each point is understood and acknowledged, and remind everyone of the shared objective: the success of the game.

3 Identify Solutions

After laying all concerns on the table, work collaboratively with your clients or partners to identify potential solutions. This phase is about problem-solving and requires creativity and flexibility from all involved. You might need to propose compromises or find new approaches that satisfy each party's needs without compromising the game's design integrity. Remember, the best solutions are often those that everyone can live with, even if they aren't perfect for any single party.

4 Implement Agreements

Once a resolution is agreed upon, it's important to implement it effectively. This means clearly outlining who will do what, by when, and what the expected outcomes are. As part of this process, you should document agreements in writing to avoid future misunderstandings. Follow-up is also key; schedule check-ins to ensure that the resolution is being adhered to and that it's working as intended. If not, be prepared to revisit the issue and make adjustments as needed.

5 Build Relationships

Conflict resolution is not just about solving a problem; it's also an opportunity to build stronger relationships. Use this experience to learn more about your clients' or partners' communication styles and preferences. By demonstrating your ability to handle conflicts with professionalism and care, you establish trust and respect. This can lead to better collaboration in the future and potentially open doors to new opportunities.

6 Reflect and Learn

Finally, take time to reflect on the conflict and the resolution process. What worked well? What could have been handled better? Use this insight to improve your approach to conflict resolution in the future. Learning from each situation helps you become more adept at navigating challenges and can make you a more effective game designer and collaborator in the long run.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?